An integrated Public-Private Collaboration (PPC) framework to enhance a country's resources: a case for Namibia

Abstract

Developing countries like Namibia are endowed with resources providing opportunities for economic development. However, the public sector controlling those resources does not always possess complementary assets needed for value-addition and wealth creation. The private sector possessing the requisite skills extracts natural resources and exports them in raw form to one processing centre where the cost of production is low. This misalignment of resources results in countries with resources endowment losing out on their value. In Namibia, there is rising tension as public and private sectors accuses each other of doing little to alleviate the socio-economic challenges facing the populace. In the absence of a well-coordinated public-private dialogue, these accusations and shunning of responsibilities continue while socio-economic challenges persist. This study researched Namibia's approach to PPC resulting in developing an integrated PPC Framework to enhance the resources of the country. Although practised over centuries, PPC in a formalised and governed practice is relatively new in comparison to the well-established PPP. The objectives of this study were achieved using combined instruments based on MMR. These instruments include gathering of primary data using a survey, review of secondary data on companies and countries, and interviews. Primary data was collected from 389 participants responding to an invitation sent to 1,000 out of a population of 3,000 senior leaders in the public and private sector as well as other stakeholder groups. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with 30 participants selected from the three groups. The outcomes of the quantitative and qualitative methods were integrated using the sprinkling and mixing/stirring approach. The result of the study indicates a misalignment between the ownership of resources and complementary assets required to enhance value. The findings further point to insufficient investment in R&D for building complementary asset capabilities by both the public and private sectors. Finally, the study revealed that PPC would be a valuable avenue to assist in solving challenges faced by the country and positively contribute to economic development. The proposed PPC framework, based on Namibian circumstances, aims to be universally applicable and replicable. Allowing for slight amendments, it can be applied to countries facing similar challenges.